Johnny Depp's dogs could get the actor prison time in Australia after he illegally transported the pets there earlier this month.
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star could face 10 years in prison or a maximum fine of $265,000 if the issue goes to court and
he is found guilty, People magazine reported.
The dog controversy was first reported earlier this month when the actor flew to Australia on his private jet with his two Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, to continue filming the next installment in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
According to AustralianNews.net, the animals were not declared on customs forms, which goes against the country's strict quarantine laws.
Australian Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce then
proceeded to threaten to put down Depp’s two dogs unless they were flown out of the country in 72 hours.
"If you start letting movie stars — even though they've been the sexiest man alive twice — to come into our nation (with pets), then why don't we just break laws for everybody?" Joyce said in a statement. "It's time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States."
A representative for Australia’s Agriculture Department said Depp’s case was a rarity, with only an average of one dog per year arriving in the country without the appropriate permits.
"We've had other dignitaries who've brought in, for instance, bullfrogs . . . to eat," Joyce said. “We had to euthanize them."
The matter is currently under investigation by the Department of Agriculture.
Since the threat on Depp’s dogs, the two pups have reportedly been safely returned to America.
Joyce’s harsh words towards Depp’s dogs prompted the creation of the hashtag #WarOnTerrier, and even inspired a comedic segment on a recent episode of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”
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